Oral Storytelling at Moore and Moore Cafe
Welcome to Smith Of Wootton Major as we continue the journey, bringing the art of traditional oral storytelling to a contemporary audience.
In residency this month Henrik Andersson-Pokka and Jaya Penelope, will continue our journey into deep mythological territory.
The Stories: Smith Of Wootton Major if this story doesn't ring any bells now it sure will do after you hear the only published work of J.R.R Tolkien after Lord Of The Rings. This story is the bringing to life of Tokien's life long enchantment of the Faery realms. Many try to prose write their life long enchantments, true to his craft Tolkien did so in this magical story.
'There was a village once, not very long ago for those with long memories, nor very far away for those with long legs.' J.R.R Tolkien. How long is your memory and how long are your legs? Henrik will take us on a short journey that will take us far.
Accompanying Hendrik we have the wondrous Jaya Penelope who will enchant us with an old story which we keep secret. One way only to know the wonders in store. . . see you there.
The old myths are not just for entertainment, they explore the relationally of the human sensory experience with the natural, mystical and more than human worlds. They are a conversation with the imaginal that bring imagery that will haunt and inhabit us (haunt in the best of ways) as they reveal the symbolic and pattern based wisdom that lies beyond the world of the senses.
About the Storytellers:
Henrik Andersson-Pokka: grew up in Swedish Lapland and has spent many years walking the old tracks of the stories, history, and myths of the Sámi, Finnish, and Scandinavian peoples who make up his ancestry. Now living with his family in a handcrafted home in Kwoorabup/Denmark, Western Australia, he has spent the past years helping organise and lead an annual mythopoetic men’s gathering, appearing at local storytelling events and working with his hands in traditional crafts such as yurt building and knife making. For him, storytelling is not a hobby but a deep pull of the soul—born from a hunger for what is real, and from visceral encounters with the world of myth and spirit that still breathes beneath everyday life."
Jaya Penelope: Steeped in story and mythopoetics, Jaya has been fundamental in keeping the flame of oral storytelling alive in WA. Her storytelling is generous and wild, it brings together the nature of the wild and the mundane, every story from Jays will leave you with a tapestry of poetic imagery.
Food and Drinks: The wonderful Moore and Moore Cafe is opening its doors to us for these events, their team will be on hand to serve drinks from their small bar, coffee and cakes (a wonderful interval treat), and dinner will be available to pre order for before the performance or during the interval. Dinner options will be announced closer to the event for pre booking.
Event Schedule: Thursday 25th June 2026
Doors: 18:00 - arrive and settle in with a drink and something to eat
Performance starts: 19:00 - Performance area opens, enter in silence
Interval: 19:45 - Take a breather and order a drink or cafe made cake
Performance continues: 20:10 - Regather and listen to the second part
Ending: 21:00 - Ending after a short discussion Q&A with Storytellers
Please note this performance is open to those aged 16+
FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Please note: This event will be recorded. By attending the event you agree to be filmed and/or photographed, and for those images and footage to be shared online and across various promotional platforms. Please contact us to discuss.